The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I have bitten off a lot to chew on. The clients themselves are very challenges as most all are heroin addicts in the 20 to 26 age range and many don't want to really get sober. They want to get rent free living and either keep using or relapse with little consequence. They whine and complain even more than a typical alcoholic. Some are sweet young kids (young adults) with what I think is the world in front of them, but their level of dysfunction is VERY severe. There are no functional heroin addicts. They also shoot up so many other drugs. They dissolve crack in lemon juice or vinegar and shoot that up too. They abuse all kinds of other pills and substances as well. Alcohol is usually in the background.
The challenge is more with the owner and shaping things up to get gold seal accreditations. There are some people that have been their a while that do not know how to stay in their lanes and that practice shady ethical practices. They have zero idea what a therapist does, what a clinical director is supposed to do, but are really quick to blame problems on the therapist or clinical director and this is probably why the last 4 clinical directors all left in short order. That being said, it is a new challenge and I am enjoying aspects of it despite the stress.
I had to have one client committed last week (first time I did that) and I also had to fire a staff person for the first time in my career. I don't enjoy those things at all, but those are part of stepping into my higher level administrative role and I needed to start doing things like that. I still revert back to "well what does everyone else think?" Um...no...it's more like the buck needs to stop right here now and I need to really step into those shoes confidently.
(((Mark((( Your tremendous experience, education and dedication to recovery will serve you well in this new position. I see you calling on the"Courage" and "Wisdom" deep within and it will help you to continue to grow in your life and new position.
You know that life is for learning and growing. The 11th Steps suggests that HP walks with us where ever we go and gives us the power to carry it all out. I always had a sign on my desk that stated "80% of life is just showing up"-- It was/is so true.
They are blessed to have you in a leadership role. Someone with knowledge first hand of addiction and integrity to follow through on difficult decisions is priceless. I know you have been a voice of leadership and reason here for me and I am thankful for that. Take care.
Well good for you. I think I hear you're in a work culture that you would like to change (it's someone else's fault, deflecting their own responsibilities). Applying what you know to a work setting can only benefit the staff and the clients. I applaud your efforts and your recognition of what the job ahead requires of you.
As I read, I thought of harmonics. We need to stay on program for ourselves, the clients would benefit from their own 12 step program, and their director can apply his own 12 step wisdom to his task. "In all our affairs".
Your attitude astounds me because I'm not sure I could do that kind of job. Love hearing you work through it and being in reality about the situation and accepting it for what it is. And, I love that you feel comfortable coming here to share with us, as well. One day at at time, my friend!
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Never grow a wishbone where your backbone ought to be!
Great to hear about your own personal growth! Whether the addicts are there to get better, or not to get better, it's very fortunate for them that you are there.
The fact that the last four directors all left quickly is a bit worrying to me. I hope you can weather the difficulties without too much stress. Sounds like some organizational culture has got to change. But there's no one I'd trust more in your position! And with that population of addicts, even one life turned around is a huge triumph and blessing. Hang in there! Take good care of yourself!
You can do it!!!! That's the vote of confidence from my side of the world. When I was 'out there' in the workforce, I took a couple of jobs that had me driving home at times wondering what in the world had I gotten myself into. One thing my sponsor told me is that they would not have hired me if they didn't believe in me. They are 'normal' - they expect a human that learns as he/she goes, makes mistakes, goes home, can detach, etc.
That center did not get jacked up in one month or even probably one year. It's had a long roll of dysfunction and it's gonna take some time for YOU to get it in shape. But you can do it, and that is why you have the job. Not the other people that left, you...
I can speak from personal experience about the H factor - not mine, my sons. It is very, very different from other substances and so very damaging and deadly. It's cheap and it's bad and it's killing smart people every day. I read an article that because it's become an epidemic, people are finally getting brave enough to make mention in obituaries. The article discussed searching on Legacy dot com and there are some very sad sad stories. Great kids, great young adults who got sucked in by the H and could not get out of it.
I don't envy you but have total faith in you. I believe you and your program and your experience CAN and WILL make a difference!! Hang in there and huge (((Hugs))) to you.....I applaud your willingness to try and make that difference...
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
